Aberdeen Hooks? Am I Too Old Fashioned?

[scott mcilrath]

Thanks for letting me join.

I am using gold Aberdeen hooks

(mostly) for live bait.

Live bait is mostly all I do.

Am I missing out? 

I have tried some circle hooks,

and I thought I could feel the difference,

But I felt better with the "J" hooks.

All my fishing is from the bank,

shallow water, very light shot and float.

Light spin-cast or Tele Pole (Bluegill 101)

Thanks

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I also use baitholder hooks.

I'm an Aberdeen man, too.

[John Sheehan]

I prefer light Wire Aberdeen in #10-4  over heavier wire bait holders myself .Absolutely when fishing  Fatheads ,Minnow and Shiners as it keeps the bait livelier because of the light wire . Once in a while however I lose a hook in the throat of a fish but if I am registering the bite properly this happens very infrequently .I do want to try circle hooks however . I like the light wire for Crappie especially because it doesn't tear big holes in the paper mouths .Also Aberdeen light wire doesn't tear up the mouths on other fish like heavier wire bait holders when extracting .I want these released fish to be able to feed not be hampered . Baitholders may hold bait on the hook better and perhaps they're a better choice in clear water or picky fish.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I also use Aberdeen for tying flies.
The light wire penetrates better than thicker wire, and they are a great intermediate length. Everything from nymphs to streamers can be tied on them, with an eye to proportion.
You can add weight, if needed where you cannot take it away from heavier hooks. You may also reform them with round-nose pliers if you want a different profile.
I find them very versatile for panfish-average bass.
I have even made them into baitholders by adding short bits of wire.

[John Sheehan]

You make good points .Aberdeens are a great choice for Ultra Light spinning needs too.I was contemplating making Aberdeens into bait holders myself as bait slipping  can be a drawback using them .Thanks David!

[carl hendrix]

I also much prefer the aberdeen hooks; also eagle claw; and mustad ;; reason is;; depends on what fly; jig or streamer Im working on..  the lil abners as I call them; are great hooks to use for the real light type of flies;; mustads are for heavier  flis or jigs; ( clousser type ) and some eagle claws fit; right in between those !  but also;; guys;; check out the sickle hooks !!  light wire;  extremly sharp;  more curve to the hook for better hook set I believe.also;; great for tippping on flies and jigs !

[jim cosgrove]

i prefer mustad sproat hooks foe all around fly tying.cheap and reliable.aberdeens are great for bait fishing as i can bend them off a snag with 6lb mono.i am going pretty much barbless on my gill flies as they are so easy to unhook and super sharp.have yet to lose a fish.sickle hooks for crappies using a minnow and float really ups the hook set rate over aberdeens but hang up hard in the brush and always lose them

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Mustad Sproats are another fave.
When I find them in the large eye, I'm on it.

[John Sheehan]

yes Jim another point ,you mention ,I forget to include in my comment "i can bend them off a snag with 6lb mono."

[carl hendrix]

just saw something;; the mustad hook makers;; are still using the same tech. since 1877 !!  they are keeping their way of making hooks; very secret ;; saying its the key to their sucess !!

[jim cosgrove]

i believe mustad along with most of the hook makers have moved their manufacturing to china.i have been buying those tournament style barbless fly hooks online .they come from china.so do the expensive name brand ones.i suspect they make theit required quata of the name brand hooks then just keep the line running and selling the same hooks under their own much cheaper brand.the hook model numbers are the same. i have bought name brand hooks and the generic ones and they are identical.what a mess

[Kelly Peterson]

Having cut my teeth on Bill Binkleman's Nightcrawler Secrets and Lunkers Love Nightcrawlers I have thousands oflight

Aberdeen hooks in sizes 4-10 in Bronze color. Lately have been using the same in red and gold. Actually think they are better in the colors but then if one covers the whole hook guess color doesn't matter.

Only recently am trying the egg style hook cause I can't find any circle hooks around here in small enough sizes. Use these for drop shot rigging.